| Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 | My hmo denied my chemo treatment even though 2 cancer centers agree I should. Very annoyed with the system but I will win.
8/2013 dx sarcoma lft mandible 10/22/2013 fibula free flap with mandiblectomy, peg,tracheotomy, 11/8/13 trach removal, 2nd mandible sx 12/13, 35 IMRT 1/2014.4/2014 chemo x6 only tolerated 3. (Seizures) repeat fibula free flap 1/2016
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Appeal the denial. Your doc should help you by sending a letter of necessity to your insurance company.
Dont give up. Keep fighting.
Good luck!!! ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Freak out!! Move to canada... Fight!!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 | Having my 3rd opinion on Friday ( the tie breaker) today I had 4 ct scans and a bone scan....(my pre-ops for chemo) my hmo will pay for those but not chemo.....go figure! Completely frustrated.
8/2013 dx sarcoma lft mandible 10/22/2013 fibula free flap with mandiblectomy, peg,tracheotomy, 11/8/13 trach removal, 2nd mandible sx 12/13, 35 IMRT 1/2014.4/2014 chemo x6 only tolerated 3. (Seizures) repeat fibula free flap 1/2016
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 |
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 | Lol crossed my mind along with several other thoughts.
8/2013 dx sarcoma lft mandible 10/22/2013 fibula free flap with mandiblectomy, peg,tracheotomy, 11/8/13 trach removal, 2nd mandible sx 12/13, 35 IMRT 1/2014.4/2014 chemo x6 only tolerated 3. (Seizures) repeat fibula free flap 1/2016
| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 | Chemo won. 6 cycles here I come....
8/2013 dx sarcoma lft mandible 10/22/2013 fibula free flap with mandiblectomy, peg,tracheotomy, 11/8/13 trach removal, 2nd mandible sx 12/13, 35 IMRT 1/2014.4/2014 chemo x6 only tolerated 3. (Seizures) repeat fibula free flap 1/2016
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | WOOOOT... well okay.. YAY?
I guess this is where the "be careful what you ask for" saying comes into play.
Sorry not trying to be facetious. I am very glad you got the insurance company to concede. Chemo runs the gamut, to no more bothersome than a fly, to head in bucket sick for the entire time. For me it didn't really bother me at all other than mild nausea. Most people sit somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. But the one plus is that it makes the rads more effective so it's worth whatever you have to go through.
hugs!!!!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 | My chemo delayed for a week. Infection in my chin. 3rd infection in as many months. What am I doing wrong?
8/2013 dx sarcoma lft mandible 10/22/2013 fibula free flap with mandiblectomy, peg,tracheotomy, 11/8/13 trach removal, 2nd mandible sx 12/13, 35 IMRT 1/2014.4/2014 chemo x6 only tolerated 3. (Seizures) repeat fibula free flap 1/2016
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I had my chemo delayed as well - I was on three big bags though. It's normal to have issues. At this point you are already immunocompromised, chemo will make this worse and leave you open to infection. you had a pretty big surgery not too long ago so your body is likely still trying to heal and recoup still and now you are tossing another arsenal of meds and poisons at it.
hugs and stay strong.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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